The Pender Boys lost 65-58 in double overtime to Stanton last Friday night in an East Husker Conference Tournament Consolation Game at Howells-Dodge before beating Emerson-Hubbard 43-39 at home Thursday night.
The Mustangs led the Pendragons 13-7 after one before Pender outscored Stanton 19-6 in the second quarter to take a 26-19 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs won the third quarter 12-10 to make it a 36-31 game at the end of three, and then doubled up the Pendragons 10-5 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Both teams scored 10 points in the first overtime before Stanton doubled up Pender 14-7 in the second overtime.
The Pirates jumped out to a 13-5 lead on the Pendragons at the end of one. Pender won the second quarter 13-11 to make it a 24-18 game at halftime in favor of Emerson-Hubbard.
The Pendragons outscored the Pirates 12-9 in the third quarter to make it a 33-30 game at the end of three.
Pender put up 13 points in the fourth quarter compared to just 6 for Emerson-Hubbard.
I thought the Pendragons played a really good game against Stanton and did a nice job coming back against the Pirates after trailing early.
Pender (5-15) takes on the Mustangs (5-14) again in Stanton on Saturday.
The Mustangs defeated Clarkson/Leigh 68-52 at home Thursday night.
This should be another close and tightly contested ball game I would think.
If the first game was any indication of the capabilities of both of these teams then fans are in for a real treat once again.
The Pendragons played a good game the first time around against Stanton, they just didn't close out the Mustangs.
I thought Pender did a better job finishing against Emerson-Hubbard so hopefully the Pendragons' play at the end of that game carries over to Saturday's contest.
Pender has two challenging, but winnable road games left on the schedule.
The Pendragons are at BRLD next Friday night, and that should make for an interesting regular season finale.
But back to talking about the Stanton game, the Mustangs are having what would have to be considered a down year while Pender is having a better season than they did last year I would say.
This game wouldn't of even been close last year, but now these two teams are pretty equal so it should make for a good contest.
The Pendragons just have to come out and be the tougher team physically and mentally.
Pender has to want it more than Stanton, and must take the fight to the Mustangs for four quarters.
The Pendragons have to do everything they can to spoil the Mustangs' seniors final game on their home court.
I'm sure that's something Pender would really like to do.
The Pender Girls are winless in their last three contests, falling 46-40 to Howells-Dodge at Howells-Dodge in the East Husker Conference Tournament Semifinals last Thursday night, 43-34 to Stanton in the Third Place Game of the EHC Tournament in Columbus on Saturday, and 50-32 at GACC Monday night.
In the Howells-Dodge Game, things were really tight throughout until the fourth quarter, when the Jaguars pulled away.
The Pendragons jumped out to a 10-8 lead at the end of one before Howells-Dodge outscored Pender 12-7 in the second quarter to take a a 20-17 lead into the locker room.
The Pendragons won the third quarter 12-11 to make it a 31-29 game at the end of three, but the Jaguars scored 15 points in the fourth quarter compared to 11 for Pender to seal the deal.
The Pendragons were paced by Kamryn Anderson, who had a team-high 13 points. Cecilee Jacobsen added 10 while Hallie Ballinger and Amber English registered 8 and 7, respectively. Ballinger chipped in 12 rebounds.
Head Coach Larry Ballinger says his girls had their chances. "When you play a team like this you cannot miss the bunnies or just the shots I consider bunnies. We just missed too many shots inside and layups inside, and just little runners inside. And you can't do that against a good team."
The Mustangs held a 9-7 lead on the Pendragons at the end of one. Pender won the second quarter 8-6 to tie the game at 15 at halftime.
Stanton doubled up the Pendragons 12-6 in the third quarter to go up 27-21 at the end of three.
The Mustangs notched 16 points in the fourth quarter compared to 13 for Pender.
Anderson led the way with 10 points while English totaled 9. Ballinger chipped in 8 points and 13 rebounds while Jacobsen posted 9 rebounds.
The Bluejays jumped out to a 13-10 lead after one before winning the second quarter 9-6 to take a 22-16 lead into the locker room.
The game remained close in the third quarter as GACC outscored the Pendragons 11-8 in the third to go up 33-24 at the end of three.
The Bluejays ran away with things in the fourth quarter, putting up 17 points in the period and holding Pender to 8.
English led Pender with 15 points while Ballinger chipped in 9 rebounds.
Ballinger wasn't impressed with his girls' play. "As a whole team I thought we just kind of stood around and didn't do a whole lot. So playing a team like that that gets you out of your comfort zone and things like that, it's good to see them before districts that way you can kind of know what you need to do, and believe me we got to work on a lot."
Pender (16-7) takes on Stanton (18-3) on the road Saturday in the regular season finale.
The Mustangs were upset 38-33 at home by Clarkson/Leigh Thursday night.
The fact that the Patriots were able to knock off Stanton has to inspire and give confidence and belief to the Pendragons.
Pender might need to either beat the Mustangs, or Bluejays in Sub-Districts, should the two teams play, to ensure a wildcard into the state tournament.
It's time for the Pendragons to play with a sense of urgency and purpose, and play as if the season is on the line.
These teams Pender is losing to are great, but the Pendragons need to start winning some of these tough contests to be considered a great team as well.
I would say Pender is really good, but are maybe a step or two from becoming a great team.
This is a really important game for the Pendragons. Pender could really use a win heading into Sub-Districts.
A win over Clarkson/Leigh in Sub-Districts on Tuesday isn't a lock or a sure thing so the Pendragons have to start preparing like every game from here on out is their last because it will be all over pretty soon.
Pender has to show some fight, and play with intensity, fire, tenacity, physical and mental toughness, heart, passion, pride, and grit on Saturday.
The Pendragons have to be active on the boards and must keep Stanton's offensive weapons in check.
More important than that though is getting the offense going.
The Pendragons have really struggled offensively in their last three games, and the offense has to be better than it has been if Pender is to knock off the Mustangs, in my opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment